Today's Hottest Product? You!

找工作可不光是投简历和面试。There are many more details about you that weigh into an employer's decision to show you the money or show you the door. In fact, whether it is conscious or subconscious¹, a potential employer begins sizing you up(开始评价你) at your very first point of contact, be it via e-mail, telephone or in person. 这就是为什么你要对找工作的整个过程都要小心谨慎的原因。Remember you are selling a very important product: You.

找工作在某种程度上和推销差不多。You need to convince an employer that you have a product that is better than the others, worth the money and will pay off in the long run. That's why it is crucial to market yourself every step of the way. For a job seeker, this means that everything about you plays a role in building your professional image, from your first contact to the final handshake sealing the deal.

下面是六条确保你能最好地推销自己的行为法则：

1. Make your first contact count.
第一印象只有一次。This means that the casual e-mail you are sending to ask for more information is not really casual at all. It's actually the start of your audition(试听；试唱；试演). Every contact you make with the company, including e-mail and voice mail, is a chance to let your professionalism shine.

2. Make sure you are always "on."
你永远不会知道什么时候你就会有推销自己的机会，买报纸、逛杂货店的时候都有可能。Will you sound like an enthusiastic, motivated professional when you get a phone call from a prospective² employer early in the morning? Will you make a good impression if you run into an influential³ person at the coffee shop? Don't run the risk of marring your reputation by turning off your professionalism.

3. Packaging is important.
好的产品如果包装看上去很破烂，也不可能卖出个好价钱。If you want to sell yourself as the best choice for the job, you must dress like it. When you are selling product "you," your appearance is just as important. Dress in your best conservative suit, shine your shoes and leave other flashy details - like bulky jewelry⁴ and exotic nail polish - at home. In the professional world, many people do judge a book by its cover.

4. Work the room.
面试时对问题的回答固然很重要，但是其它细小的问题也会影响你的整体形象。Take the initiative when you walk into a room and introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake. Make eye contact when you are in the interview, and demonstrate you are paying attention to your interviewee. You can also go far by picking up on clues in the other person's office about his or her likes, dislikes and interests, and acting⁵ accordingly. You can have all the right answers, but they will go nowhere without a little charm and personality.

5. Treat everyone like they're CEO.
Remember that all contact with a company is important. Are you working hard to impress the CEO, but snubbing his or her assistant? If you want to effectively market yourself, pay attention to the contact you have with everyone.

6. Keep yourself top of mind.
提醒招聘人员注意到你。Write thank-you letters. Call to follow up. Attend networking functions. Your job isn't done just because the interview is over. In fact, sometimes the marketing⁶ you do away from the interview can make all the difference.